The great Dane
Thursday, 29 November 07, 02:54 AM · Comments (7)
If I were Martin O’Neill, I would offer Martin Laursen a new contract immediately, just in case he does stay fit.
If he doesn’t stay fit, then we simply use some of Randy’s millions to pay his wages. If he does stay fit, I think we have the first name on the team sheet.
Why? Well I knew Mr Laursen was good, but I didn’t quite realise how good. I was aware from a report on the official site last season that with the Great Dane in the side, we conceded about half as many goals in a game as when he didn’t.
But I hadn’t quite appreciated that before this season started, we hadn’t lost a league game with him in the team.
It becomes even more impressive when you consider that the only games we’ve lost this season have been at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Against the first of these teams, he only played half the match, although I acknowledge that he did score the own goal to put us on the back foot a bit. For the match against United, he was defending on his own against a team giving the best attacking performance of any in recent memory at Villa Park (according to Doc, I think).
So Man City is the only real disappointment, although many teams have been surprised by them this season.
Perhaps the most impressive thing of all — he had absolutely nothing to do with Martin O’Neill’s lowest point as Villa boss — the shocking display against Leicester in the Carling Cup.
You never know, he may just be the key to Villa’s success.
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7 Comments · Add yours
Laursen has been immense, i'd keep him even if you could only play him half the time. Hes not the future but he is a huge key to getting us there.
hes a man moutain, a rock, thats 7 clean sheets in 14 games
Immense he would head a football in front of a train. He is a great defender and puts his body on the line for the claret n blue cause. We need to sign him up now!
I can't see Laursen leaving. He doesn't owe us anything, but he must be enjoying it at the moment! Plus the only move he could make is up, and none of the big 4 need another central defender, so he may as well stay here and battle it out with them.
yes ive posted before when people were calling for cahill to be given a chance that it is in no uncertain terms that martin laursen was the reason we began to steady the ship and cahill was the reason especially at set pieces why we were so weak and open to an aerial threat. Cahill has a lot of heart and will be remembered for his scorcher against teh blues but he has a lot to learn. in laursen we have the best central defender in teh prem and i think he has proved his fitness and in fairness to him i think he deserves more respect in to which the fans have shown him. bouma has come on leaps and bounds and it was great watching the game last night to watch the whole villa team harry and get back and apply pressure weve come on as a defensive unit and i thank laursen for steadying the ship for that 9 game unbeaten run at the end of last season. i think he looks unbelievably fit, hes topping the actim stats as the best defender in the league its obvious to see hes a model preofessional and i hope he signs a contract because we would have to spend a lot of money on a replacement if we could even atrract someone of his quaility. i must say its been years since ive felt this good about villa and i hope with hard work and determination that we can make it five wins in five at the weekend. O Neill is a legend and i thank him for instilling great foundations back into the club and i cant wait to see what he builds because when its finished im sure we'll need to extended our trophy cabinet.
I hope we keep laursen which I think we will. I reckon Melberg will definatley be leaving come the end of the season, and let's face it he has been a excellant service to this club and it would be sad to see him leave. But what a bargain ashley young is looking like now! he is so exciting to watch and I honestly believe he will be one of the bes5t premiership plyers in a few years to come, what a phenauminal talet he is and what looks like a bargain!
UTV!
we need to tie him down strait away. i can see vultures like man utd n chelsea sniffin around cos vidic is the only reliable centre back utd hav n carvalho is apparently unsettled. gotta keep those filthy animals away from mr laursen. he is tops. if only he didnt hav the knee probs wen we first got him. but i reckon he is one of the players of the season so far. hi 5's martin.